Device and method for thermotherapy

ABSTRACT

A thermotherapy device, in particular for babies, has a lying surface limited by longitudinal sides, a head side and a foot side. The thermotherapy device ensures a simple and safe access of a new-born without producing a detrimental psychological effect on parents. For this purpose, an upwardly oriented feeding device for supplying a hot and humid air is advantageously embodied in three parts, namely, a lateral feed pipe in each longitudinal part and/or a feed pipe in each foot side, a suction device for sucking supplied air is arranged above the lying surface, the suction device is arranged above the head side, in particular above the head area of the lying surface in such a way that the supplied air is sucked only above said head side and/or the head area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a thermotherapy device, especially for infants,with a horizontal surface which is bordered by lengthwise sides, a headside and a foot side. Furthermore, this invention relates to a processfor thermotherapy using such a thermotherapy device.

2. Description of Related Art

Thermotherapy devices of the initially mentioned type are generally usedin the gynecological departments of hospitals for newborns. Existingthermotherapy devices (incubators) have closed, climate-controlledcompartments in which a hatch must be opened first to reach the newborn.When a newborn is removed from such a thermotherapy device, it is alwaysnecessary to proceed very carefully to avoid injuring the newborn.Another disadvantage of existing incubators is the psychological effectthese compartments have on the parents of the newborn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is therefore to make available athermotherapy device of the initially mentioned type in which the abovedescribed disadvantages do not occur.

This object is achieved in a thermotherapy device of the initially namedtype in which there is a, preferably, three-sided supply means for anupwardly directed supply of warm moist air with one side supply being inthe area of each of the lengthwise sides and/or a foot supply in thearea of the foot side, in which there is an exhaust means for exhaustingthe supplied air in the horizontal surface, the exhaust means beinglocated above the head side, especially above the head area of thehorizontal surface which borders the head side, and the supplied airbeing exhausted simply above the head side and/or the head area.

According to the process intended to achieve this object, warm moist airis blown out and up, preferably solely from the lengthwise sides and/orthe foot side, wherein the supplied air is taken from the top, wherein agiven microclimate is formed in the area above the horizontal surfaceand wherein the air is exhausted simply above the head side and/or ahead area which borders the head side.

The configuration in accordance with the invention yields athermotherapy device in a so-called open version. The microclimateprevailing in the incubator with parameters which are defined, forexample, in DIN EN 60601-2-19, is stabilized and bounded by air flows,in contrast to the prior art. The desired microclimate forms within thespace bordered by the supplied air jets which are directed upward. Theconfiguration in accordance with the invention has the major advantagethat the infant located on a horizontal surface can be quickly andeasily accessed. Furthermore, it is possible for the parents of thenewborn to directly view and touch him without first having to open ahatch, as is the case in the thermotherapy devices known from the priorart. The adverse psychological effect on the parents of the newborn, asoccurs in closed incubators, does not arise in the invention.

Moreover, in conjunction with this invention, it has been establishedthat a microclimate which has been stabilized by flow engineering can beimplemented above the horizontal surface by there being simply athree-sided air flow with simultaneous intake above the head side.Therefore, in the region of the head side, air is not supplied; thisultimately reduces the energy demands of the thermotherapy device inaccordance with the invention since less inlet air is necessary.However, the lack of air supply in the region of the head side alsoresults in a draft being prevented this region. In any case, it goeswithout saying that it is also fundamentally possible to provide an airsupply on the head side if this is considered necessary, even if thethree-sided flow guidance is preferred.

Since there is no inlet air supply on the head side, to prevent theeffect of adverse cross flows which can arise due the superimposed roomair flows, it is a good idea for there to be a front wall on the headside which extends, preferably, at least essentially over the length ofthe head side. The front wall thus has a bulkheading action and can,moreover, perform a retaining function for the exhaust means so that theexhaust means is attached to the front wall, and thus, can at leastpartially extend over the horizontal surface.

In order to obtain a closed air curtain which retains the microclimate,it is advantageous for the side guides to extend at least essentiallyover the full length of the lengthwise sides. The same also applies tothe foot supply. Furthermore, the exhaust means should extend at leastessentially over the full length of head side in order to ensure anacquisition region that is as large as possible.

In order to limit access to the horizontal surface by the exhaust meansor the base body of the exhaust means as little as possible, it isrecommended that the exhaust means extend over the horizontal surfacefrom the head side to over an amount of a maximum ⅔ of the length of thehorizontal surface. Here, it goes without saying that, according to thisfeature, there should fundamentally be an overhang and any value up toan amount of a maximum ⅔ of the length of the horizontal surface ispossible, without expressed enumeration of discrete values beingnecessary.

Research has shown that the outflow direction of the laterally suppliedair is dependent on the climatic conditions of the ambient air and themicroclimate of the thermotherapy device to be established.Fundamentally, the angle should be larger as the density differences ofthe out-flowing air to the ambient air become larger. In the extremecase, this can even be 90°. This can lead to different embodimentsbecause, for example, the environment in European hospitals in summer isclimate-controlled to roughly 26° C. (78.8° F.), while in the UnitedStates, a 20° C. (68° F.) room temperature is maintained. However,basically, it is recommended that the inflow directions of the sidesupplies and the foot supply have an angle between 10° and 60° withrespect to vertical. These slanted inlet air flows yield a type of “flowtent” under which the desired microclimate forms. This “flow tent” canbe very small since it is intended for infants. Accordingly, it isrecommended that the exhaust means be located a very small distanceabove the horizontal surface, preferably with a distance which is lessthan the width of the horizontal surface. This arrangement has theadditional advantage that only relative short air curtains need beformed; this is easily and economically possible, with low flowvelocities. In any case flow velocities of the supplied air of less than15 cm/s, preferably of less than 8 to 10 cm/s, can be maintained; here,any flow velocity within a given range being possible without it needingto be specifically mentioned.

In order to be able to easily adapt the thermotherapy device inaccordance with the invention to certain conditions of use, it isrecommended that the outflow directions of the side and foot supply beadjustable, preferably in two directions which run perpendicular to oneanother or around two axes of rotation which run perpendicular to oneanother. Adjustment can be performed, on the one hand, via coupling theindividual guides to the bed base body or a peripheral frame so that itis possible to adjust the individual guides relative to the horizontalsurface. Furthermore, adjustment can take place alternatively oradditionally by adjustable louvers in the area of the outflow openingsof the inlet air guides. In order also to be able to match the exhaustmeans to altered conditions, it is recommended that the exhaust means bevertically adjustable and/or that the exhaust means be adjustablepreferably around two axes of rotation which are arranged perpendicularto one another.

Fundamentally, the aforementioned oblique outflow direction can also beimplemented by the side supplies and/or the foot supplies beingintegrated in a frame surrounding the horizontal surface that isinclined relative to the horizontal surface. The inclined frame withsupplies then has not only flow engineering importance, but is also usedto protect the infant located on the horizontal surface from fallingdown. Moreover, it goes without saying that, on the side supply and onthe foot supply, there can be protective walls regardless of whether theindividual supplies are arranged inclined or not. The protective wallsshould be detachably connectable to the respective feed, preferablyshould be lockable into corresponding slots. Furthermore, the protectivewalls can be arranged at an angle relative to vertical so that they canacquire a flow-guiding function.

In order to increase the degree of acquisition of the supplied air bythe exhaust means, there can be a flap or guide flap on the exhaustmeans. Here, it is advantageous if the flap is pivotally mounted. Thus,it can be moved selectively into a lower position in which the flapdevelops a flow-guiding action or into an upper position in whichunhampered access to the horizontal surface is ensured. The flap shouldextend at least in areas over the length of the head side and at leastin areas over the length of the horizontal surface which the base bodyof the exhaust means overhangs to ensure a favorable flow-guiding actionin the lower position. Here, it can be advantageous if the flap, in thelower position, extends both over the entire width of the head side orthe foot side as well as over the entire length of the horizontalsurfaces overhung by the base body of the exhaust means. In this case,the space requirement for pivoting of the flap is, however,correspondingly greater. In order to preclude accidentally falling downand the associated danger potential, the flap can be supported such thatit remains in almost any position between the lower and the upperposition without separate manual attachment. In addition to theflow-guiding function, the flap can be used to protect an infant locatedon the horizontal surface against unwanted effects from the outside.Basically, it is preferred that the flap is made from a transparentplastic at least in areas. It goes without saying that, fundamentally,the flap can also be provided elsewhere on the thermotherapy device. Itis also possible to provide a retractable, insertable or comparabledevice instead of a pivoting flap.

Favorable flow-engineering effects for setting of the desiredmicroclimate can otherwise be achieved in that the supplied air emerges,not parallel, but in different directions, from the exit openings of asupply. In order to produce such a diverging flow profile, the exitopenings can be aligned in different directions. In this way, forexample, a radial outflow can be achieved. Alternatively or additionallyto the aforementioned alignment of the exit openings, there can also bea guide device with which the desired flow profile of the air emergingfrom the supply can be adjusted. This can be recommended if the guidedevice has flow-guiding louvers or the like.

As already initially mentioned, in conjunction with a thermotherapydevice, it is necessary to make available a certain microclimate. Tomaintain the microclimate, the supplied air should have a temperaturebetween 37° C. (98.6° F.) and 41° C. (105.8° F.), preferably roughly 39°C. (102.2° F.). The relative humidity should be between 80% and 90%, andpreferably, roughly 85%, as is established in DIN EN 60601-2-19. So thatenergy use is as low as possible, for operation of the device inaccordance with the invention, the intake air should be filtered and/orthermodynamically conditioned and supplied again to the supply means.Structurally in this connection, there is a means for conditioning theair which is coupled to the exhaust means and which preferably has afilter means, a humidifying means and a heating means. In thisconnection, it is recommended that the means for conditioning the air bemade such that the temperature and/or the humidity of the air can beadjusted. Furthermore, the feed rate of the air should be adjustable inorder to consider the effect of cross flows which can arise bysuperimposed room air flows. This is especially important in spaces inwhich climate-control systems have been installed.

Furthermore, there should be at least one connection possibility forfeed of other gases. In this way, the invention makes it possible toenrich the inlet air with (medical) gases such as, for example, oxygenin order to advantageously adjust the composition of the respired air inthe region of the “flow tent” with respect to medical aspects.

The exhaust or acquisition means used to intake the rising thermal airflow should have a high degree of acquisition in order to be able tocapture and re-use portions of the supplied air and the energy containedtherein which are as large as possible. Therefore, it is recommendedthat a swirl hood be used as the exhaust means. Preferably, in thisconnection, it is otherwise such that the front wall on the head side ispart of the swirl hood. The front wall thus passes into the swirl hoodand has a flow-guiding action.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of thethermotherapy device in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the thermotherapy device from FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the thermotherapy device fromFIG. 1 taken along line III-III FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the thermotherapy device fromFIG. 1 taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of thethermotherapy device in accordance with the invention in a viewcorresponding to that of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the thermotherapy device of FIG. 5 ina view corresponding to that of FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of thethermotherapy device in accordance with the invention in a viewcorresponding to that of FIG. 4,

FIGS. 8 a & 8 b are cross-sectional views of two preferred sidesupplies,

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth preferredembodiment of the thermotherapy device in accordance with the inventionin a view corresponding to that of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a thermotherapydevice in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a thermotherapy device 1 with a horizontal surface 5bordered by two lengthwise sides 2, a head side 3 and a foot side 4. Thehead side 3 is bordered by the head area 3 a of the horizontal surface5, the patient intended for thermal therapy lying preferably on thehorizontal surface 5 such that at least the head of the patient rests onthe head region 3 a. This is however not critical, the head of thepatient also being able to rest basically also underneath the head area;this can be the case especially for newborns. It is important that thereis intake of the supplied air only above the head side 3 and/or the headregion 3 a.

The thermotherapy device 1 has an upwardly directed supply means 6 forsupply of warm, moist air on three sides of the horizontal surface 5,with a side supply 7 in the area of each of the two lengthwise sides 2and a foot supply 8 in the area of the foot side 4. It is pointed outthat this embodiment is simply a schematic representation. A descriptionof supply lines and the like has been omitted. The supply means 6 can beeasily integrated into a U-shaped or closed frame which surrounds thehorizontal surface 5; this is not shown in particular. Furthermore,above the head side 3, there is an exhaust means 9 for exhausting thesupplied air. With this, the illustrated thermotherapy device 1 enablesthermotherapy in which warm moist air is blown upwardly only from thelengthwise sides 2 and the foot side 4 and is exhausted from above atthe head end. In this way, a given microclimate can be formed above thehorizontal surface 5.

Furthermore, in the illustrated thermotherapy device 1, there is a frontwall 10 which is connected to the exhaust means 9. Here, the front wall10 extends at least essentially over the length of the head side 3. Inthis way, in the illustrated thermotherapy device 1, and duringthermotherapy, bulkheading of the head side 3 is achieved.

While in the illustrated thermotherapy device 1, the side supplies 7extend over the full length of the lengthwise sides 2, the foot supply 8extends over the full length of the foot side 4 and the exhaust means 9extends over the full length of the head side 3, basically, it is alsopossible for each of the supplies 7, 8 to extend in exactly the samemanner as the exhaust means 9 only over part of the corresponding sides2, 3, 4, when, in this way, sufficient flow over the horizontal surface5 is achieved by the supplied air. The exhaust means 9 is, moreover,arranged over the horizontal surface 5 such that the exhaust means 9overhangs the horizontal surface 5 from the head side 3 so that anadvantageous air flow is formed. Thus, it is not established how far theexhaust means 9 overhangs the horizontal surface 5. In order to ensuresufficient accessibility of the horizontal surface 5, the exhaust means9 should overhang the horizontal surface 5 at most by ⅔ of the length ofthe horizontal surface 5.

The direction in which the air emerges from the side supplies 7 and thefoot supply 8 is at an angle from 0 to 90° to the vertical. In thisconnection, the two side supplies 7 are inclined relative to one anotherand the outflow direction of the foot supply 8 is directed obliquelytoward the head side 3. This arrangement of the outflow directions andotherwise the induction of individual flows yield a contraction of thesupplied air in the upper region.

In the thermotherapy device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the exhaust means 9is located at a distance above the horizontal surface 5 which is smallerthan the width of the horizontal surface 5. Moreover, the side supplies7 and the foot supply 8 are arranged inclined with respect to thehorizontal surface 5. Not shown is the fact that the incident flowdirections of the side supplies 7 and the foot supply 8 as well as theexhaust means 9 can be moved around two axes of rotation which runperpendicular to one another and thus in different directions. Theexhaust means 9 is also vertically adjustable; this is however not shownindividually.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a thermotherapy device 1 in which there areprotective walls 11 on the side supplies 7 and the foot supply 8. Inthis connection, the individual protective walls 11 are detachablyconnected to the respective supplies 7, 8. So that the protective walls11 can perform a flow-routing function, the protective walls 11 arearranged here at an angle to the vertical. The protective walls 11 ofthe side supplies 7 are pointed obliquely at one another, while theprotective wall 11 of the foot supply 8 is pointed obliquely in thedirection toward the head side 3. It has been pointed out that therepresentation of the protective walls is simply schematic. It goeswithout saying that they can, of course, also be mounted in another formon the supplies 7, 8 or on the peripheral frame which is not shownindividually.

FIG. 7 shows a thermotherapy device 1 in which there is a flap 16 on thebase body of the exhaust means 9 which extends in areas over the lengthof the head side 3 and which is pivotally supported. The flap 16 islocated in the lower position in which it extends over part of thelength of the horizontal surface 5. In this lower position, the flap 16,as shown schematically in FIG. 7, performs a flow-routing function. Itis not shown in particular that the flap 16 can be swung out of thelower position, in this figure clockwise, into an upper position whichclears access to the horizontal surface 5. Otherwise, the flap 16 can,if necessary, be pivoted farther down, in this figure counterclockwise,overly low pivoting not being feasible since it not only blocks theintake opening of the exhaust means 9, but also adversely affects thehandling of the infant on the horizontal surface 5.

FIGS. 8 a & 8 b show preferred embodiments of a side supply 7 whichenables a diverging outflow of the supplied air. Here, the exit openings18 in FIG. 8 a have different openings so that a radial flow profile isobtained. This flow profile, as shown in FIG. 8 b, can also be achievedby a flow-routing guide means 19 which is provided in addition oralternatively. It is not shown in particular that other flow profilescan also be produced by the alignment of the exit openings 18 or the useof a guide means 19. It goes without saying that the versions of theside supplies 7 shown in FIGS. 8 a & 8 b can also be provided in thesame way for the foot supply 8.

In the thermotherapy device 1 shown in FIG. 9, the schematically shownair conditioning means 12 is coupled to the exhaust means 9. The airconditioning means 12 is shown here as a separate system. However,integration into the device 1 is also easily possible. Furthermore, notshown is a corresponding fan via which the supplied air is exhaustedwhich is connected to the exhaust means 9. The fan can also beintegrated into the device 1. The air conditioning means 12 has ahumidification means 13 and a heating means 14 so that in addition tothe supply speed via the fan, the temperature and humidity of the aircan be set in the desired manner. In order to be able to add other gasesto the air before it is supplied in order to establish the desiredatmosphere over the horizontal surface 5, the air conditioning means 12has a corresponding connection 15. Here, it is fundamentally alsopossible for there to be a connection 15 in the area of the supplies 7,8 and for other gases to be added, viewed in the air flow direction,between the air conditioning means 12 and the supplies 7, 8.

The thermotherapy devices 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and 9 are otherwisethose in which the exhaust means 9 is a swirl hood, the swirl hood 9passing into the front wall 10.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a thermotherapy device 1 whichcorresponds essentially to the thermotherapy device 1 shown in FIG. 1.However, in contrast the device of FIG. 1, in the thermotherapy device 1shown in FIG. 10, the air intake does not take place over the completelength of the head side 3, but simply over the middle area of thehorizontal surface 5 which extends on either side of the lengthwisecenter axis of the horizontal surface 5. In this way, it is possible forthe intake of unwanted air on the two ends of the exhaust means 9, whichcan likewise be a swirl hood in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, to belargely prevented and the available air flow to be concentrated in thecenter of the thermal convection flow. Moreover, the embodiment shown inFIG. 10 has the advantage that at least limited access to the patientfrom the head side 3 is also possible.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, it is provided that thefront wall 10 is an integral component of the exhaust means 9, so thatthe front wall 10 assumes a flow-guiding function. If the exhaust means9 is a swirl hood, the front wall 10 can pass into the swirl hood, thefront wall 10 deflecting the intake flow in the direction to the jacketof the swirl hood. Here, it is provided that the air is simply taken inabove the head side 3 and/or the head area 3 a bordering the head side3. Accordingly, the exhaust means 9 is located above the head side 3 andthe head area 3 a and overhangs the horizontal surface 5. The exhaustmeans 9 extends in the lengthwise direction over part of the width ofthe horizontal surface 5.

Moreover, it is provided that, laterally on the exhaust means, there areguide elements 20. The guide elements 20 extend from the side walls ofthe exhaust means 9 and extend beyond the side supplies 7 as far as thelateral front sides 21 of the front wall 10. The guide elements 20overhang the horizontal surface 5 above the head area 3 a in the mannerof a jacket, and a collar opening of the guide element 20 can be made totaper in the direction toward the lateral front side 21 of the frontwall 10. The opening width of the collar opening bordering the exhaustmeans 9 can correspond essentially to the width of the intake opening ofthe exhaust means 9 and can continuously decrease in the direction tothe side supplies, so that the guide element 20 has a triangular basesurface. The front wall 10 can otherwise be aligned in the region of theexhaust means 9 with the upper jacket surface of the exhaust means 9 andcan be made beveled in the direction to the lateral front sides 21. Thefront wall 10 can be an integral component of the guide element 20. As aresult, the degree of thermal acquisition of the exhaust means 9 isfurther improved.

It is not shown in particular that the air flow taken in can be dividedinto two component flows, preferably, the component flows being suppliedwith a different temperature and/or with a different speed, especiallyvia different exit areas of the horizontal surface 5. Air supply cantake place via the side supplies 7 and/or the foot supply 8 such that,on the one hand, the temperature of the inner region of the horizontalsurface 5 decreases to the outside and on the other hand the exit speedalso decreases from the inside to the outside. The latter reduces theshear flows between the individual air jets and reduces the induction,and thus, the admixture of ambient air. However, basically, it is alsopossible to break the air down into several component flows and tosupply the air with respect to temperature and exit speed staggeredaccordingly over different exit surfaces of the horizontal surface 5.The exit surfaces can have honeycomb, directional baffle plates in orderto produce a certain flow profile.

The aforementioned features of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 10can be combined if necessary, i.e., individually or in any combination,even if this is not mentioned and described specifically.

1. Thermotherapy device for an infant, comprising: a horizontal surfacefor support of an infant lying thereon, the horizontal surface havingtwo lengthwise sides, a foot side, and a head side, a three-sided supplymeans for upwardly directing a supply of warm moist air, said supplymeans having a side supply bordering each of the lengthwise sides of thehorizontal surface and a foot side supply bordering the foot side of thehorizontal surface, and an exhaust means for exhausting the suppliedair, the exhaust means being located at least above a head area of thehorizontal surface which borders the head side of the horizontalsurface, wherein incident flow directions of the flow supplies areadjustable around two axes of rotation which run perpendicular to oneanother.
 2. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 1, wherein theexhaust means overhangs the horizontal surface by an amount that is atmost ⅔ of the length of the horizontal surface from the head side. 3.Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust meansextends transversely to a lengthwise direction of the horizontal surfaceat least in areas above the head side.
 4. Thermotherapy device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust means extends only over a middleregion of the horizontal surface.
 5. Thermotherapy device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the exhaust means has a length that is smaller than awidth of the horizontal surface.
 6. Thermotherapy device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a front wall is provided on the head side, wherein theexhaust means is connected to the front wall.
 7. Thermotherapy device asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the front wall extends at least essentiallyover the full length of the head side, wherein each side supply extendsat least essentially over the full length of a respective lengthwiseside, wherein the foot supply extends at least essentially over thelength of the foot side and wherein the exhaust means extends at leastessentially over the full length of the head side.
 8. Thermotherapydevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust means has at least oneguide element which at least partially overhangs the horizontal surface.9. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least oneguide element extends along a front side of the exhaust means as far asa lengthwise side.
 10. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 1,wherein outflow directions of the side supplies are directed obliquelyat one another at an angle between 0° and 90° relative to a verticalplane.
 11. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 1, wherein anoutflow direction of the foot supply is pointed obliquely toward thehead side at an angle between 0° and 90° relative to a vertical plane.12. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaustmeans is located at a distance above the horizontal surface which isless than the width of the horizontal surface.
 13. Thermotherapy deviceas claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust means is at least one ofvertically adjustable and rotationally adjustable around two axes ofrotation which run perpendicular to one another.
 14. Thermotherapydevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the side suppliesand the foot supply are arranged so as to be inclined relative to thehorizontal surface.
 15. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a flap on a base body of the exhaust means, whereinthe flap is pivotally mounted and wherein the flap extends at least inareas along the length of the head side.
 16. Thermotherapy device asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the flap has a lower position in which itextends at least in areas above the length of the horizontal surface androutes the supplied air toward the exhaust means.
 17. Thermotherapydevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the foot supplyand the side supplies has exit openings which are pointed in differentdirections.
 18. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a means for conditioning the air which is coupled to theexhaust means, wherein the means for conditioning the air has ahumidifying means and a heating means, and wherein the means forconditioning the air is integrated into a substructure of the thermaltherapy device.
 19. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 18, whereinat least one of the temperature, the humidity, and the supply speed ofthe air is adjustable.
 20. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 19,wherein the temperature is adjustable in a range between 37° C. and 41°C., and the humidity is adjustable between a relative humidity ofbetween 80% and 90%, and a supply speed of up to 15 cm/s. 21.Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at leastone connection for adding other gases.
 22. Thermotherapy device asclaimed in claim 1, the exhaust means comprises a swirl hood. 23.Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 22, wherein a front wall isprovided on the head side, wherein the exhaust means is connected to thefront wall, wherein the front wall passes into the swirl hood andwherein the exhaust flow is deflected in a direction toward a jacket ofthe swirl hood by the front wall.
 24. Thermotherapy device for aninfant, comprising: a horizontal surface for support of an infant lyingthereon, the horizontal surface having two lengthwise sides, a footside, and a head side, a three-sided supply means for upwardly directinga supply of warm moist air, said supply means having a side supplybordering each of the lengthwise sides of the horizontal surface and afoot side supply bordering a foot side of the horizontal surface, anexhaust means for exhausting the supplied air, the exhaust means beinglocated at least above a head area of the horizontal surface whichborders the head side of the horizontal surface, and at least oneflow-routing member on at least one of the foot supply and the sidesupplies for routing air exiting the respective supply. 25.Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the flow-routingmember on at least one of the foot supply and the side supplies is aprotective wall.
 26. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 25,wherein each protective wall is detachably connected to the respectivesupply.
 27. Thermotherapy device as claimed in claim 25, wherein eachprotective wall is located at an angle relative to vertical so as toroute the supplied air toward the exhaust means.
 28. Thermotherapydevice for an infant, comprising: a horizontal surface for support of aninfant lying thereon, the horizontal surface having two lengthwisesides, a foot side, and a head side, a three-sided supply means forupwardly directing a supply of warm moist air, said supply means havinga side supply bordering each of the lengthwise sides of the horizontalsurface and a foot side supply bordering a foot side of the horizontalsurface, and an exhaust means for exhausting the supplied air, theexhaust means being located at least above a head area of the horizontalsurface which borders the head side of the horizontal surface, whereinsaid at least one of the foot supply and the side supplies has aplurality of exit openings and wherein at least one flow-routing memberis provided which comprises a respective guide plate for guiding airflowing out of each of said exit openings.